The Word This Week
Acts 8:26…
Philip, one of the initial seven deacons chosen to help with the daily distribution to the Hellenist widows, had followed those of the church fleeing the persecution of Saul of Tarsus down to the region of Samaria.
He boldly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ there.
A revival broke out among the Samaritans, who - as the Jews - were looking for Messiah.
They recognized Jesus as Messiah through Philip’s Gospel preaching.
There was such a great response among the Samaritans the apostles remaining at Jerusalem heard about it.
They responded by sending Peter and John to lend apostolic authority to all the Lord was accomplishing there.
Then something unusual happened.
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip telling him to leave this amazing revival taking place among the Samaritans and head south along the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert territory.
At this point you have to wonder what was going through Philip’s mind? He was in the middle of being greatly used of the Lord in this revival which had broken out in Samaria – and in the very midst of this wonderful harvest of souls, the Lord was calling him to go to desert territory in Gaza – where nobody was?
This makes no logical sense. One thing we can know for certain: this was NOT Philip’s idea.
The great question here is would Philip be obedient to God’s instruction – even though he had no idea why he was being told to go to Gaza? There was no further information provided Philip but to leave right away and head south. This would be a journey of about 70 miles on foot.
The great example provided for us here is Philip did leave. Immediately. No questions asked. And this is life in ministry, serving God. It is a step of faith, understanding if God is telling you to “Go,” He has a reason for you to go, even if He chooses not to share that reason with you.
Is this perhaps because God knows IF you knew the reason why He is calling you to go – you would carefully consider it – and perhaps choose not to go, since you may perceive it is not in your best interest to follow God’s instruction, in this case…
Had Philip known he was being sent to rescue the soul of a single Ethiopian, (in comparison to this marvelous and exciting revival in Samaria,) would it have made sense to him to go?
Does it make sense to you?
Pastor Bill
Philip, one of the initial seven deacons chosen to help with the daily distribution to the Hellenist widows, had followed those of the church fleeing the persecution of Saul of Tarsus down to the region of Samaria.
He boldly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ there.
A revival broke out among the Samaritans, who - as the Jews - were looking for Messiah.
They recognized Jesus as Messiah through Philip’s Gospel preaching.
There was such a great response among the Samaritans the apostles remaining at Jerusalem heard about it.
They responded by sending Peter and John to lend apostolic authority to all the Lord was accomplishing there.
Then something unusual happened.
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip telling him to leave this amazing revival taking place among the Samaritans and head south along the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert territory.
At this point you have to wonder what was going through Philip’s mind? He was in the middle of being greatly used of the Lord in this revival which had broken out in Samaria – and in the very midst of this wonderful harvest of souls, the Lord was calling him to go to desert territory in Gaza – where nobody was?
This makes no logical sense. One thing we can know for certain: this was NOT Philip’s idea.
The great question here is would Philip be obedient to God’s instruction – even though he had no idea why he was being told to go to Gaza? There was no further information provided Philip but to leave right away and head south. This would be a journey of about 70 miles on foot.
The great example provided for us here is Philip did leave. Immediately. No questions asked. And this is life in ministry, serving God. It is a step of faith, understanding if God is telling you to “Go,” He has a reason for you to go, even if He chooses not to share that reason with you.
Is this perhaps because God knows IF you knew the reason why He is calling you to go – you would carefully consider it – and perhaps choose not to go, since you may perceive it is not in your best interest to follow God’s instruction, in this case…
Had Philip known he was being sent to rescue the soul of a single Ethiopian, (in comparison to this marvelous and exciting revival in Samaria,) would it have made sense to him to go?
Does it make sense to you?
Pastor Bill